Today is Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. We are now entering Holy Week. And in today's gospel, we will hear The Passion narrative in the life of Jesus, that culminates in His crucifixion and death, with the Roman Centurion proclaiming, “Truly, this man was the Son of God.” The account of St Mark shows us that Jesus was arrested and sentenced to death, as a consequence of his conflict with the Jewish elders and authorities. Jesus saw His death as part of His mission and accepted it in obedience to the Father.

In the first reading from the Book of Isaiah, we have a prefiguration of Jesus, in the suffering servant of God. A loyal preacher of God's word with the intention of awakening the drooping spirit of God's people. But what he got is physical assaults and insults in return. But he is a serene, dignified and authoritative figure. And where does his dignity come from? It is with his trust in the Lord. The suffering servant trusts God. And if you have God, you have dignity; no one can shame you, no one can disgrace you.

In the second reading, Paul describes Jesus as possessing the name above every other name. He is the Lord that everyone in the world should worship. But this King and Lord is the Son of God, who willingly and freely emptied Himself in glory. He could have clung to His prerogative as the Son of God. But, He embraced the human condition becoming a slave and a creature, dying on the cross in obedience to the Father and for love of us. This is our King.

In the gospel, we hear Pilate asking Jesus, "Are you the King of the Jews?" This must be a fundamental question to understand Jesus’ entrance to Jerusalem. The holy city where many prophets and messengers of God face their death; the city where Jesus will fulfill His mission. We should also be asking the same question, "Are you truly a king? What type of king are you? How will you rule? While the world is in turmoil, can we trust in you as king?” In turn, we ask ourselves, "Will I accept Jesus as king and embrace His reign? Can I accept Jesus the way He wants to be king and not according to my expectations?” Jesus journeys to His Passion as King, greeted with hosannas, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”, “Blessed is the kingdom of our father, David, that is to come!” But Jesus did not come as a conqueror supported by soldiers and mighty weapons. He brings only Himself, His word, His humility, His silence. Only by Jesus' unique authority will humanity, history, and the whole of creation, find genuine blessing and salvation. Let us allow Passion Sunday to challenge our world; a world thirsty of power.

Let us ask ourselves, “Can we commit ourselves to Jesus' person? His mission? His ways? His authority? Can we accept Jesus as our king?”